Cat 950 Steering issues

Good day I have a Cat 950 Serial Number 81J8531 My steering wheel has too much free play. About 4 to 5 inches on the diameter of the wheel. I tried to read the Cat service manual, and it seems too complicated. Can anyone give me a short version of trying to tighten this up. Any comments will be greatly appreciated. Thank you Ray

Hi, rjmitchell.

As I understand it, they have a full hydraulic steering with a mechanical 'follow-up' to stop the hydraulics when you stop turning the wheel. NOT being an 'ex-spurt' on such matters, I think I'd be looking at the steering box itself and the links to the hydraulic control valves first. Then I think I'd be checking the follow-up mechanism for wear and loose joints.

But what would I know? I'm 'justa pore, dumm retired bulldozer op'rator'.

Just my 0.02.

this is what I have on this subject--an often missed wear point is the ball joint that is inside the linkage where the steer box arm attaches-- a cap needs to be screwed back to access the adjustment of said ball joint. Other ball joints wear and may need adj. also. there is inherent slack in the system due to how the steer valve is actuated by the rise and fall of the steer wheel worm and shaft.

Eddie B.

this scan shows wear points for diminished steering ability--lost motion--the steer box rack and sector gear has and adjustment on its side cover to be adjusted in the straight ahead position--usually point of most wear--if too tight then off centre will be too tight and need un-adjusting so to speak to a happy medium

found a section view of follow up linkage on line, hope this helps.

Eddie B.